Since winning the bronze medal in team figure skating and becoming America’s early darling of the games, Rippon has tried to distance himself from the early narrative. He’s said he’s open to meeting with the vice president when he returns home, but wants to curb the political talk for now.

“I don’t want my Olympic experience being about Mike Pence,” Rippon said to reporters on Tuesday. “I have no problem about what I’ve said because I stand by it, but I think right now the Olympics are about Olympic competition.”

Those comments from Rippon again made headlines because, well, this is 2018 and anything involving the Trump administration tends to make news.

And at least one member of the Trump family took notice:

Really? Then Perhaps you shouldn’t have spent the past few weeks talking about him. I haven’t heard him mention you once??? https://t.co/8lcCsoyBsq

Don Jr. is actually right with the first part of that tweet. Any public figure wishing to stay clear of political stories should never become involved with one in the first place because, again, this is 2018 and the news media is going to bleed any storyline for all it’s worth.

As for the second part about Pence not mentioning Rippon once?

Well …

.@Adaripp I want you to know we are FOR YOU. Don’t let fake news distract you. I am proud of you and ALL OF OUR GREAT athletes and my only hope for you and all of #TeamUSA is to bring home the gold. Go get ‘em!